O’Connor notches double with latest acquisition

Cian O’Connor is already giving indication of another successful partnership, notching up a double with his latest acquisition Walk Tall II on week seven of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida.

The Meath-based rider and Offaly’s Darragh Kenny had scored wins early in the week and the pair were among only three to make the jump-off in Saturday’s $25,000 Suncast 1.50m class. Young US rider Blythe Marano kicked off with eight faults on LLC’s Urban. Kenny then put it up to O’Connor when clear on LLC’s Twister, but the Olympic bronze medallist finished almost two seconds the better to take the top prize.

Walk Tall II is an 11-year-old gelding by Kannan out of a Clover Hill mare and won last year’s Queen’s Cup in Hickstead with Keith Doyle. He was purchased by O’Connor before Christmas and, when asked if he considered the gelding a replacement for his Olympic mount Blue Loyd, the Meath-based rider drew comparison with 12 months ago.